In an Instagram Live chat with former club Sampdoria, former Inter midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron reflected on the years of his career that he spent playing in Italy.
Veron’s Italian adventure began in 1996 when Sampdoria signed him from Superliga Argentina side Boca Juniors. He spent two years with La Samp before spending a season with Parma and then three seasons with Lazio before earning a move to Manchester United.
He returned to Italy with Inter in the Summer of 2004 in a two year loan deal from Chelsea. During his time with Inter, the former Argentine international made 74 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored four goals and tallied 11 assists for his teammates.
“My arrival in Italy was a real lottery for me. To tell the truth I didn’t really know what I was doing,” he began the interview.
“It must be taken into account that at the time there was not the same means of communication as there is today, so it was like a leap into a reality that was in some respects unknown.
He then went on to discuss how he found adapting to life in Italy.
“Getting used to Serie A was difficult, it took me a few months to settle but at the same time it was something exciting.”
Veron, who is the current president of Estudiantes, concluded by further reminiscing about his time and admitted that playing in Italy was life changing for him.
“Football is made up of great moments and I experienced many of them in Italy where I was able to play for many great teams from Sampdoria to Parma to Lazio and then Inter, where I won a lot.
“I played for great clubs in Serie A and I am proud of it. It changed my life and made me who I am.”
